Every teacher in every content area should include 2-3 type 2 writing assignments per week in their instruction.
Having a "do now" or a class starter that involves writing through the connection of prior knowledge and new knowledge can also increase the writing ability of all students.
Think about this: If students say they are tired of completing the same old questions on the benchmark tests, then make the writing count! Including Type 2 assignments in your class attached to a grade may be the motivating factor needed to improve student outcomes!
Ideas for Type 1 writing:
NOTE: To make a Type 1 a Type 2, ask student to explain their thinking or support their thinking with the text they have read (i.e. #2 and 4 are Type 2)
What were three of the most important points from our class discussion (yesterday, today)?
Explain two ways that (blank) and (blank) are similar. (if from reading, ask for support from the text).
Give two examples of how (blank) comes up in other non-mathematical situations?
Give two reasons why this cannot be the correct answer for this problem (or question). Explain why.
Describe two ways that (blank) occurs in everyday living.
Tell me three things wrong with this (statement, piece of writing, picture, description, problem, solution, lab report, etc.).
Describe three characteristics of (blank).
What are three things you could change to make this (sentence, solution, comparison, proof, explanation, thesis, etc.) better?
If you were summarizing today's discussion for someone who was absent, what two ideas do you think might show up on our end-of-unit test?
March: Test Taking Skills
Test taking strategies
Tips for Better Test Taking ( includes general tips as well as specific tips for different types of assessments, i.e multiple choice, true/false, etc.
November is Writing across the Curriculum
Every teacher in every content area should include 2-3 type 2 writing assignments per week in their instruction.
Having a "do now" or a class starter that involves writing through the connection of prior knowledge and new knowledge can also increase the writing ability of all students.
Think about this: If students say they are tired of completing the same old questions on the benchmark tests, then make the writing count! Including Type 2 assignments in your class attached to a grade may be the motivating factor needed to improve student outcomes!
Ideas for Type 1 writing:
NOTE: To make a Type 1 a Type 2, ask student to explain their thinking or support their thinking with the text they have read (i.e. #2 and 4 are Type 2)